After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

Chapter 735 The Power of Carrots

"Has your Lord Qiu struck it rich?"

"Uh...no, why do you say that, Lord Jiang?"

"If you weren't rich, would you be so willing to treat me like this?"

"Uh! It's alright, I'm just glad you don't mind the simple meals."

"Heh, if this is considered simple food, then what we county government officials eat all the time must be pig swill..."

"Haha, you jest, sir, you jest..."

The official in charge of entertaining Jiang Wenqing poured him wine attentively.

Jiang Wenqing picked up a piece of braised pork belly with dried scallops with his chopsticks and ate it with gusto, his mouth dripping with oil.

Besides fishing, his only other hobby in his life was enjoying good food.

My son left me a letter when he last visited, only telling me to come to the dock when the ship is finished, without specifying what I wanted to do there.

Could it be that he's treating himself to a big meal but is too embarrassed to say it directly?

Why must father and son beat around the bush like this? Sigh, this child is still as inarticulate as he was when he was little.

But the child's sentiment is very precious, and I should appreciate it. There's nothing else to say but to eat a few more bites of each dish, to save face for the child.

After eating and drinking his fill, Jiang Wenqing thought he would say goodbye to Lord Qiu and then head back. However, he couldn't find that he had arrived in good condition, but now that he wanted to leave, he couldn't go back.

Who can tell him who packed his luggage without his permission, and who prepared his bedding?

When did he ever say he wanted to stay at the docks or live in some lousy dormitory?! Huh?! Can anyone answer him?!

"My lord, please don't be alarmed! This was all arranged by your son, Jiang Shaoqing!"

Jiang Shaoqing said that he had already made arrangements with you, and you came to the dock today as agreed. Doesn't that mean you agreed to Jiang Shaoqing's arrangements?

Now you're going back on your word? A man's word is his bond; you are the magistrate, you cannot go back on your word!

"My God! You still remember that I am the magistrate of Tongzhou County!"

"Knowing who I am, you still forcibly detained me. How can you, a mere seventh-rank official of the imperial court, tolerate such humiliation?!"

"Oh no! What should we do? This Magistrate Jiang seems to be getting angry..."

"Don't say any more to him, let's ask Lord Qiu to come over. I told you the two of us couldn't handle this, but the lord trusted us too blindly..."

"Yes, we have failed your trust, sir. Please, sir, take action in person!"

Qiu Cheng did not produce Jiang Xiaoqi's letter, fearing that Magistrate Jiang would bite him.

"Lord Jiang, please don't get agitated. Here's what happened..."

The fleet of ships will be launched and tested soon; time is tight and the task is heavy...

Sigh... We had no choice but to gather as many talented people as possible...

It was already difficult to gather crew for just one ship last year. This year, we need to recruit crew for ten ships and select ten captains...

In addition, there's logistical support, overall coordination, weaponry deployment... and technical support...

"Everything is important, big or small. We're severely understaffed at the docks; we're lacking everything except our ships!"

Qiu Cheng was parched and talked non-stop while holding his teacup, without even taking a sip of water.

Jiang Wenqing's expression was blank, with a look that said, "What's it to me?" or rather, "What does it have to do with me?"

Seeing that his explicit and implicit suggestions had no effect, Qiu Cheng could only sigh deeply.

"Lord Jiang truly doesn't understand your son's good intentions, so let me be frank!"

What I just said only concerns the plight of the docks and fleets, which may seem irrelevant to you.

But before Jiang Shaoqing left, he specifically told me that he wanted to pull some strings for his father.

The reason we had the dock staff train you on some basic maritime navigation skills was for Magistrate Jiang's own good.

Jiang Shaoqing knew that his father didn't have many other hobbies, except for enjoying food and fishing.

So, we've arranged a delicious meal today. As for fishing, what's the point of always staying cooped up in this small corner of Tongzhou?

We've been fishing for the same old fish over and over again. You're not tired of fishing for them, but we're all tired of eating them!

Lord Jiang, do you know that there are fish in the sea that are several stories tall, as well as colorful and uniquely shaped seafood?

As a fishing enthusiast, wouldn't it be a lifelong regret not to try sea fishing?

Unfortunately, the sea is unpredictable and dangerous, so it's only natural that Magistrate Jiang would be afraid.

"A fish several stories high? Colorful seafood? Real or fake?"

Jiang Wenqing's expression clearly showed interest, and Qiu Cheng pressed his advantage.

"Is this fake?! Didn't you just taste it yourself?"

"Those dried scallops, abalone, squid, and also sea cucumbers, shark fins, jellyfish, and the like—these are all catches the crew got at sea!"

Jiang Wenqing knew, of course, that most of what he ate was seafood, since he had eaten dried seafood before.

In comparison, the food I ate today was much fresher and tastier. Was it freshly caught?

"So... my son had you train me for a period of time just so I could go out to sea and go sea fishing?"

"Isn't that the purpose? Of course, Lord Jiang can also help with the shipping affairs in his spare time; it's not a particularly busy or tiring job."

The main problem is that Jiang Shaoqing doesn't really trust anyone except his own father..."

Jiang Wenqing came in with a frown, but left with a relaxed brow.

"Oh dear, it's still our adults who have been fooled by Magistrate Jiang so easily!"

"Get lost! What do you mean by 'deceive'? That's called 'strategic maneuvering'!"

"Alright, everyone, say less..."

Qiu Cheng pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a deep breath. He had managed to fool this person for the time being, and he would keep fooling him until the day they officially set sail.

Once he's out at sea, he can't swim back by himself.

By the time I got there and realized I was there to "do manual labor," it was too late, hehe~

It has to be said that Chiang Kai-shek was really ruthless to his own father. Who knows what kind of situation Japan is in? He dared to let his own father take the lead.

The line I just gave was actually the idea that Lord Jiang had given me. I have to say, no one knows a father better than his son!

I should have known better than to waste so much breath saying all that nonsense!

Jiang Wenqing settled down and "temporarily" stayed at the dock dormitory.

The next day, Aunt Pan was escorted to the dock by Master Qian and Master Xing.

"master!"

What are you doing here?!